Chief Minister Harish Rawat has exhorted the Ulemas to focus on the education of Muslim community members while adding that only those who are educated and possess technical skills are able to progress in the present times. The CM said this while meeting Ulemas at his residence here on Monday.
Rawat said that he was committed to ensure the welfare of minority communities in the State. Most Muslim villages are settled in constricted space and densely populated. Attempts will be made to provide urban civic facilities in villages which are suffering from improper water drainage, sanitation and other basic amenities. Necessary funds will be provided to develop infrastructural facilities in villages.
Rawat assured that the Rs 11 crore approved in the past for developing Piran Kaliyar from the tourism point of view would be increased to Rs 51 crore. Infrastructure would be provided at Piran Kaliyar akin to the facilities provided for Kumbh Mela for which separate budgetary provision will be made and one more bridge will be built across the Ganga Canal. Adequate funds will be provided for execution of works for the development of minority dominated areas under the multi sectoral development plan, said the CM.
He further said that senior citizens of the Hindu, Muslim and other communities would be provided free of cost facility for pilgrimage to various shrines. Skilled persons will be provided grants by the Minority Finance Development Corporation. The committee formed between 2002 and 2007 for minority welfare will be reactivated while grants will be provided to enable Madarsas to facilitate education. Rawat directed the Minority Welfare secretary to ensure timely salary to Haj Committee staff and facilitate swift redressal of the problems being faced by contract workers while also directing him to take steps for resolving the problems related to the Haj Committee and Madarsa Board. Haji Mohammed Yameen, Mohammed Musrat Ansari and Dehradun Shehar Qazi Maulana Mohammed Asad Kasmi were among those present on the occasion.